Judge Reduces Bond for Riverside Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend

WASHINGTON, Iowa - A judge reduced a $2 million bond to $1.4 million cash only for a rural Riverside man accused of fatally shooting his long time partner while she was mowing their lawn in May.

Thomas L. Hansen, 70, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sharon Gerot, 54. Gerot was shot as she mowed their lawn at 1355 Deer Run Drive. His trial is set for Jan. 24 in Washington County District Court.

The bond reduction is $1.4 million cash only and if the defendant posts bond he will be supervised by the Department of Corrections with special conditions, according to the judge's order.

Hansen remained in jail Monday.

Hansen had been a long time Iowa City firefighter and former director of the Johnson County Emergency Management agency.